METHODS

Design:

Allocation:

Blinding:

Follow up period:

6 months.

Setting:

{a hospital in South Yorkshire, UK}.*

Patients:

445 patients ⩾65 years of age (mean age 77 y, 53% men) who were admitted to hospital and able to swallow. Exclusion criteria
were gastric surgery, malabsorption or morbid obesity (body mass index >40), coma, severe dementia (Abbreviated Mental Test
Score <6), malignancy, current receipt of supplements, or residence in an institution.